Ok, how strange is that title?Has Marilyn really gone MAD?No, I’ve just come up with a great new design that will be fun for kids.Well, I can’t really claim the design, as it (as often happens) comes from a customer.

It is getting close to Easter, and I am wondering what to give my grandchildren.They are getting too old for Easter baskets, Mom and Dad give them chocolate, a card gets thrown in the wastebasket, and money is just that – money.

A few weeks ago my friend, Roberta, showed me a picture of a picture of a “Corgi Butt” pillow; and asked, “Can you do this?”.She then went on to show me this picture of one of the cutest pillows I had seen recently.Roberta’s dog is a Corgi, and she decorates her home with whimsical pillows, etc.I proceeded to make them for her; and during this time I visited four of my grandchildren who also have a Corgi.When I showed them the picture, they fell in love with it.

Fast forward to last week, when I received a call from my son telling me that the kids are fighting over the “Corgi Butt” and showing it to all their friends. They also sit and hug it when they are watching tv. “Mom, we need two more.”The very same day I was at a Chamber meeting, and another customer asked me to make two more for his kids.

Today as I was thinking about my blog and what would everyone be interested in, the thought came into my head to share the “Corgi Butt” idea with all of you.

Don’t lug your luggage; love your luggage! Our travel bag features durable structure, designer touches and professional construction details. We have used a faux leather that is soft yet durable.

There are lots of pockets including both slip and zip pockets on the outside with a large zipped pocket on the inside especially lined to protect your laptop. We added foam stabilizer between the lining and leather to keep the bag sturdy. The lining is bright and fun in order to find your items easily. You can add three sizes of zipper bags and an insulated bag for your curling or flat iron. The handles are reinforced, and the sturdy straps have a padded shoulder pad.

Have you ever tried to put your carry-on on top of your roller bag only to have it fall off and twist around to the front? We’ve solved that problem with the slide on pocket on the back of the bag. Or does your shoulder or back hurt because your carry on is too heavy? These things won’t happen with our lightweight bag.

It doesn’t matter what style, type or age of wedding gown you may have. It might have belonged to your Grandmother, your Mother, you or another beloved family member, there is always something that would you would like. It could be a christening gown, a pillow, a small purse, a teddy bear; the list is endless. Whatever you decide.
There is such a warm feeling whenever you enter a room and see an item that brings back good memories. I have a teddy bear sitting on my bedroom dresser that I made from family heirlooms. Whenever I enter that room, the first thing I see is the bear, and no matter what type of day I have been having the bear puts me into a better frame of mind. I remember the homemade Christmas cookies, the shopping trips, the delicious lemon chiffon pie. All of the memories that are associated with that teddy bear.
These items also make very special gifts. Mother’s Day will be here soon, you may have a wedding, a christening, a special person’s birthday, or an anniversary. What can you do to make these events extra special

As I check out my networking opportunities for the upcoming week, I realize that I could attend several events every day. I love networking and truly believe that the old saying, (which has been upgraded now) of “Know, Like, Trust” (now “Know, Love, Trust”) is totally misunderstood. Many people think that it’s all about telling people about the features of your business. They attend the event, hand out business cards, talk about what they do, and then wonder why it doesn’t bring them business. They may attend for a few times, then move on to another group. How can we make networking better?

I am not going to pretend that I am the know-all, be-all about networking, but it has been the biggest source of my business for the last 5 years. Not only have I gotten business, but I have met wonderful people and built strong, enduring friendships.

I would like to share some ideas that you might want to consider when you attend a networking event.

Find two people who you think you can help. What other opportunities can you offer them? I have three organizations in which I am very active. I have set up introductions and speaking opportunities for people I meet.

When you ask others about themselves and their businesses first, they will then ask you about yours. Ask sincerely and listen to what they say. Focus on them, then think how you can help them.

When they ask you what you do, tell stories. If you are a realtor, talk about how you helped someone find a house. I met someone who had shown the same person 110 houses before they decided to purchase a house. When I asked them why they hadn’t moved on, the answer was, “I wanted to make sure these people found something they liked.” Do you think I would recommend this person? Absolutely!!

Do they have an interesting occupation or information that others would enjoy or find useful? Recently, I met a vet who has a leader dog and learned the story of how that came about. What a terrific program for my Rotary Club!!

Follow up with one-on-ones. Here is where they will get to know you.

Develop a newsletter using mail chimp or constant contact. Give useful information, and do it on a regular basis. Add the new business cards to your recipient list on a regular basis.

Last but not least, be passionate about what they do and what you do. Be real and believable!!

I hope this helps in making your networking productive and fun!!

attend several events every day. I love networking and truly believe that the old saying, (which has been upgraded now) of “Know, Like, Trust” (now “Know, Love, Trust”) is totally misunderstood. Many people think that it’s all about telling people about the features of your business. They attend the event, hand out business cards, talk about what they do, and then wonder why it doesn’t bring them business. They may attend for a few times, then move on to another group. How can we make networking better?

I am not going to pretend that I am the know-all, be-all about networking, but it has been the biggest source of my business for the last 5 years. Not only have I gotten business, but I have met wonderful people and built strong, enduring friendships.

I would like to share some ideas that you might want to consider when you attend a networking event.

Find two people who you think you can help. What other opportunities can you offer them? I have three organizations in which I am very active. I have set up introductions and speaking opportunities for people I meet.

When you ask others about themselves and their businesses first, they will then ask you about yours. Ask sincerely and listen to what they say. Focus on them, then think how you can help them.

When they ask you what you do, tell stories. If you are a realtor, talk about how you helped someone find a house. I met someone who had shown the same person 110 houses before they decided to purchase a house. When I asked them why they hadn’t moved on, the answer was, “I wanted to make sure these people found something they liked.” Do you think I would recommend this person? Absolutely!!

Do they have an interesting occupation or information that others would enjoy or find useful? Recently, I met a vet who has a leader dog and learned the story of how that came about. What a terrific program for my Rotary Club!!

Follow up with one-on-ones. Here is where they will get to know you.

Develop a newsletter using mail chimp or constant contact. Give useful information, and do it on a regular basis. Add the new business cards to your recipient list on a regular basis.

Last but not least, be passionate about what they do and what you do. Be real and believable!!

Recently I shared with you pictures of vintage dresser scarves designed and recreated into clutch bags that could be carried to weddings, the prom or any other festive occasion you could possibly be attending.
Today I have to share another dresser scarf bag that is so unique. This scarf is from the 1920’s. It is adorned with hand embroidery and crochet. The crochet stitches are so tiny and the color coordination in amazing. The crocheted ends make a beautiful flap for the clutch. I can close my eyes and visualize the 1920’s bedroom with all of the silks, satins, and velvet fabrics adorning the massive carved furniture.
It will be so fun to visualize this time whenever you carry a clutch like this one.

Kids love tee shirt quilts! They make great graduation gifts whether for kindergarten or college. It keeps memories alive not just for the person, but for generations to come. Can’t you just imagine sitting with your grandchildren and telling the story connected with that particular shirt.
You have decided to construct the quilt and have found the plastic bags full that have been stored on the basement shelf. What next?
1. Decide what theme you want to center the quilt around. It may be sports, music, vacations, marathons, etc. What did your child enjoy most? Sorority quilts are popular as are academic or you could do a combination to express the entire college career.
2. Fold the shirts showing the front and/or back designs and lay them out. The easiest way is to lay them on the floor to get a feeling for what shirts look best together. I recommend using either 9 or 12 shirts laying three across and either three or four down.
3. Next is the fun part of selecting colors and theme for the sashing, backing and binding. You can find a nice selection of licensed fabric from college and professional teams, you can use solid colors, prints or a combination of both or all. Let your imagination run free. I pick out the most colorful tee shirts and take them to the fabric store, then walk down the aisle matching colors. If you don’t feel comfortable choosing colors, google a color wheel to see what colors are across from each other. When choosing prints, find a color that is part of each piece of fabric. I like to use prints and solids. A solid color makes a great frame for your pieces. What type of fabric you use is up to you. I have uses anything from cotton to minky for a soft cuddly backing.
4. Embroidered motifs on the sashings adds a three dimensional look as does adding a name at the top. Here again, let your creative mind work.
Most important of all is to create a quilt that will bring a smile to the child’s face; and it doesn’t matter if that child is five or 25, everyone loves a tee shirt quilt. Imagine the joy this quilt will bring for generations to come.

If you are looking for a quick and easy Valentines idea that won’t cost a fortune, why not make this candy bouquet? You can pick up inexpensive vases at your local dollar store or your local thrift store, fill it with colored paper, put a piece of styrofoam inside the vase. Then attach your candy to soda straws with scotch tape and stick the straws into the styrofoam ( you could also use a small piece of modeling clay or play-doh). Add some ribbon, tulle, or whatever you would like and “Viola” you have a great gift for a favorite person.

A few days ago as I was looking through my old pictures, I came across a picture of my Grandpa sitting on the floor playing with my two and five year old boys. This picture was taken forty years ago and brought back the warm memories I had for my Grandpa and the memories my boys have of him.
He was wearing his uniform, “a flannel shirt and denim bib overalls”. These memories gave me such a warm feeling so I wanted to see what a quilt made from flannel shirts and denim would look like.
Down to the Thrift Store I went to dig through the fabric bins to see what was there. (Well, actually it took several trips to several stores to find what I wanted). Several trips later I was able to put together the quilt I wanted.
Now, is it the actual clothing my Grandpa wore? No, but just seeing those plaid shirts and faded jeans brings back so many memories. When my grandchildren come to visit, they want to know all about their great-grandpa; and his love for their Dads.

One of the best parts of growing up on a farm in the Midwest was the sense of family we shared with all of the surrounding farms. In that era the words “country club” did not mean a beautiful building in the middle of a golf course where you met others for drinks, dinner, golf, etc but rather a group of farm women who met monthly following a criteria set up by our county extension office. There were also social events such as ice cream socials, Christmas (yes Christmas not holiday) parties, and county style shows with the ladies modeling clothing from the local merchants. Deep friendships evolved that lasted a lifetime. My Mother belonged to the local “country club” in an area where our family had farmed for three generations that I know about, and it could have been longer.
When I was 11 years old, we moved from that farm to another farm not in this neighborhood. My Mother was no longer close enough to belong to the group.
This triggered a “handkerchief shower”. A “handkerchief shower” was very similar to a bridal shower, but the gifts were all beautifully designed handkerchiefs. They came in the mail inside a warm greeting card. Just think of the memories my Mother had each time she used one of these handkerchiefs. Time has moved on (now we use tissues) and handkerchiefs have been delegated to a storage box or an estate sale.
They also make beautiful quilts, and fit into multiple quilt designs. Are you one of those lucky people who have found them when cleaning out your Mother or Grandmother’s home? Have you seen them at an estate sale or antique store? Why not design and create a quilt that you can showcase in your home to remember those days?

How many of us can say that we still have that perfect dress from our senior prom? Not only that but we married our date that night?
Wouldn’t that be a great story to tell your granddaughters as they unwrap beautiful pillows made from that prom dress? I can visualize those granddaughters telling the same story as their daughters unwrap the same pillows. What stories do you have in your closet?